First look at ‘The Honey Bachelor’

JUST days after The Sunday Telegraph exclusively revealed Nick 'The Honey Bachelor' Cummins is set to sweeten up the next season of The Bachelor, Channel Ten have released the first look at the rugby larrikin in his new role.

With his curly-hair coiffed and the franchise's trademark red roses resting on his knee, Cummins looks a far cry from the rugby-playing, Tradie Underwear-wearing Aussie bloke we've come to know him as.

First look at Nick "The Honey Badger' Cummins as The Bachelor. Picture: Channel 10

Of the reasoning behind the unconventional choice, Ten said in a statement: "Physically striking, successful and smart, the sporting talent of this wild-haired winger, Nick's wicked sense of humour and his distinctive, witty one-liners have made him a hero, both on and off the field."

The Honey Badger presents Aussie News Today

Nick Cummins (The Honey Badger) in an ad for Tradie Underwear.

Speaking for the first time about his new role, the 30-year-old Wallabies star said he is "really looking forward to throwing everything at this opportunity to finding the one.

"The past 10 or so years has been on the road playing rugby or working on my projects," Cummins said in a statement, "so I'm very excited to be part of a show that is centred around love and good times."

Cummins notched up 15 Test matches with The Wallabies.

Following in the footsteps of bulked-up hunks Tim Robards and Matthew 'Matty J' Johnson, Ten was keen to choose a well-known personality who could emulate the success of Sophie Monk's turn as The Bachelorette - the Australian franchise's first "celebrity" single.

Monk, who was initially seen as a ratings risk, delivered Ten the highest audience in its four-year history thanks to her humour and "loveable bogan" appeal.

Nick Cummins before he was given a Bachelor ‘makeover’. Picture: John Fotiadis

Now the network is hoping the Honey Badger will deliver a similar ratings sweetener, with his profile, sense of humour and sports following all part of the strategy to pull in more male viewers to add to the show's devoted legion of female fans.